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Todd's Race Report...from the
The race starts, as 320+ head out 25 mph on pavement for 2 miles, then through the parking lot with a 90 turn, then another 90 into the single-track…….ready for total chaos with elbows out, tires rubbing, cussing…….none of that happens as we start on a long gradual climb. Wow, I am towards the front, then a couple short punchy climbs ensue, wow, I am not towards the front now. We are now on some of the best flowing, fast, groovn’ single-track I have ever been on. The trails seem like they are not ridden much, as fall leaves still cover the trail, the soil is loamy (Bruce’s word), loose, and sandy in spots, not a lot of roots, and no rocks, maybe 10 on the whole course. The speed and rhythm you can ride the course brings a smile, not overly technical, but you must be in the game at all times, trees and stumps everywhere, the down hills are fast but goosey with all the sand. Getting passed quite a bit as I only pass maybe three people, all with mechanicals……doesn’t help the confidence much. Get towards the end of the first of three laps, a steep/loose climb has everyone hike-a-bikin’, as the worst climbs are at the beginning and end of each lap. Complete the first lap at 2:30, maybe a little too fast of pace, hit the pit for water and fuel refills. Since this race is part of the National Ultra-Endurance Mountain Bike100 Series, a lot the racers have their pit crew dialed in, as they are in and out. As usual with mtn bike races, the vibe is great as everyone cheers you on. Lap 2 is disastrous, every muscle (except one and it is numb from the saddle) in my lower body cramps at one time or the other. The trail has firmed up with all the racers on it, the tires are hooking up great, then have to grab all the brake I have as sand pulls me towards a tree on a fast down hill…….come upon a guy laying in the middle of the trail, glassy eyed as he asked me what happened, dislocated his shoulder, tells me to keep riding as I inform the aid station at the half way point of the situation. I ride for 45 minutes without seeing anyone, no rabbit, no pacer, finally hit a long off camber section high on a ridge that puts the smile back on my face as it is towards the end of the 2nd lap, …….finally see people. Take longer at the pit, lube the chain, have to fill the camelback, so what is going to taste good? 3rd and final lap, the cramps start to subside, but so does my speed, can you actually climb and stay upright going 3.8 mph spinning in the small ring? I feel like I am going so slow that people will start to come around me, but they also must be hurting, see no one, grab a coke and some Oreos at the halfway point aid station, they taste unbelievable. A group of five goes around me in a pace line on one of the short fire roads, I can’t grab a wheel, but end up passing three of them in the single-track. End up walking one of the climbs I have previously ridden, but the rhythm starts coming back on the fast sweeping sections. Hit the line at 8:26, 44th place, happy as my goal was 9:00……...don’t really move for 30 minutes. Bruce and I almost get into a fist fight trying to blame each other whose idea it was to do this, we settle down over numerous beers and agree to blame Cully. The major sponsor Founders micro brew, which is nice.
Post Race Fuel.
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